Professor: Shen Yun Is ‘More than spectacular’

SYDNEY—Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company’s performance, staged at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 19, was more than spectacular, said Professor William Gibson.

“I don’t know if there is a word in Chinese, but it was more spectacular than spectacular, but we lack that word in English … we should use it for this show,” the ear, nose and throat surgeon said.

“It goes back so far—and so elegant—right back then, many, many years ago. Obviously, it led the world back 5,000 years ago. In Australia, we had nothing, and in Europe there was really nothing, but China had a very elegant society, so long ago.”

Professor Gibson is currently head of the Ear, Nose and Throat Unit at the University of Sydney and head of the ENT Department at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He is also the director of the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centres at Gladesville, Newcastle and Canberra. In 1995, he became a member of The Order of Australia.

Mr. Gibson said he was unexpectedly surprised by the quality of the New York-based company’s production that brings to the stage China’s 5,000 year history using hi-tech animated backdrop scenes and a full orchestra playing a unique fusion of Eastern and Western instruments.

“I wasn’t expecting the way the scenery moved and everything and it came to life with the performers … suddenly, somebody, like the pig, leaps over the back, and then you see him fly up to heaven. That was so surprising, but beautifully timed.

“The performers were very, very professional indeed. It was just amazing,” he said.

A couple of dances that exposed the persecution of an ancient spiritual practice, Falun Gong, banned in 1999 by the communist regime, gave him a jolt.

“That was a bit of a surprise to me. I thought everything in China was becoming much freer and easier. So, I was sad to hear that there is still a lot of suppression,” Mr. Gibson said. “I know China is now financially getting very strong, very strong country. But it seems people are still oppressed, which is very sad.”

The professor guessed the majority of Australians would not know about the oppression, if not for Shen Yun.

“The message was there … and it came to life with the show,” he said.

One of Shen Yun’s trademarks is the exquisitely handmade costumes and intricately decorated head pieces.

“That was one of the most spectacular things—what the women wore was amazing. And when they threw out their arms and the scarf, or the veil went out sideways, and then they managed to make it so artistic, going round and round in circles—that was brilliant.”

During the interval, Mr. Gibson went to the orchestra pit to check out the musicians.

“I didn’t believe that so many people could be in the orchestra. It didn’t look as though there would be enough space for them all,” he said. “The fusion of the Chinese music and the European was amazing; it all came together beautifully.”

Reporting by NTD Television and Raiatea Tahana-Reese.